Arlington Loop Bonus Routes

[JimF22003]

Like many, my go-to after work ride is the Arlington Loop (W&OD, Custis, MVT, 4MR). There are various ways to extend the ride that involve out-and-backs, like heading towards Alexandria on the MVT, or Bethesda on the CCT.

I hate out-and-backs. I wonder if anyone has any side-loops or other ways to extend the ride that keeps the basic loop structure? I guess the classic one is to cross the river on the 14th St Bridge or memorial Bridge, and out to Hains Point and back to the loop on the other bridge. I’ve wandered out Quincy/Military Rd a few times, but I tend to get lost back in the neighborhoods. A regular safe side-route that connects back to Falls Church or so would be nice. Maybe a little local knowledge would help?

I’ll start with one that is similar to my commute. It detours where the W&OD crosses Virginia Lane, and basically involves tacking on a side-trip through Falls Church/Annandale and lake Barcroft:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4358019

Topic

[vvill]

This is a seriously hilly detour from the Custis. Stay on West St to end up on the W&OD again.
http://www.strava.com/segments/665683

You could also stay on Military until 120/N Glebe, and take the slight turn on Williamsburg to come all the way back.

[Steve]

I’m guessing this is a paved road/trail question, but if not there is always the option to take the Custis to Quincy -> Miliarty -> Chain Bridge -> C&O -> back to MVT via any of the bridges.

[DismalScientist]

You can always replace that pesky Custis Trail with the C&O Towpath (or River Road) and a substantial stretch of the W&OD.:rolleyes:

[KLizotte]

Here are some loops that I have done a number of times and others that I have cribbed from other websites waiting to be explored. I would advise bringing a print out of the map for any route you try the first time. Let me know if any of them are not visible to the public.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2987108 Lake Barcroft area
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2943275 Brookside area
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2943274 Bluemont-Fairfax
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2943241 Roundtree Park
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2539007 Barcroft-Dominion Hills
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2538981 Arlington loop with flourishes
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3544228 Reston 1
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3544227 Reston 2
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3544226 Reston 3
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3544225 Reston 4

[americancyclo]

@vvill 81485 wrote:

This is a seriously hilly detour from the Custis. Stay on West St to end up on the W&OD again.
http://www.strava.com/segments/665683

Reminds me I need to reclaim that one!

@KLizotte 81549 wrote:

Let me know if any of them are not visible to the public.

I was getting private route error messages.

You can always incorporate some of Kill Bill in your routes:

a little:
[h=2]Kill Bill V10.6 – Upton Hill Section (7 mi)
[/h]
a lot:
[h=2]Kill Bill V10.6 – Barcroft Hills Section (22 mi)
[/h]

[jabberwocky]

@americancyclo 81555 wrote:

I was getting private route error messages.

All of them except the four Reston ones are private. The Reston ones look very familiar.

[bobco85]

I know of a couple routes for adding some extra miles to the Arlington Loop if you want to venture into Alexandria:

4.0 mile addition via MVT, Slaters Lane, Potomac Ave: https://goo.gl/maps/KT6mk
7.8 mile addition via MVT, Old Town Alexandria, Commonwealth Ave: https://goo.gl/maps/vLhGD
11.2 mile addition via 4MR, Commonwealth Ave, Eisenhower Ave, Holmes Run Trail, Walter Reed Dr: https://goo.gl/maps/bTirp
12.0 mile addition via 4MR, Commonwealth Ave, Eisenhower Ave, Holmes Run Trail (use Lacy Blvd if the north end of Holmes Run Trail is still closed), linking up with your Lake Barcroft route: https://goo.gl/maps/LVRQ5

[KLizotte]

I’ve made all of my routes up above open to the public. Sorry about that!

[JimF22003]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Author]

Replies